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Frensham Little Pond - Surrey fAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

Apr 21
3 min read

I have been so thrilled over the years to provide families with an opportunity to get some really natural lovely photos for the walls that don't just show you standing smiling but give you a sense of who you and your kids were at that moment.

This is the third year I have photographed Helen and her kids, last year she was pregnant and this year we had lovely Maeve join us! Watching families grow like this is such a joy.

Hi, I'm Cat Brant and I am a photographer based in Fleet, Hampshire near Surrey and my favourite place for family photos is Frensham Little Pond, Surrey. I take relaxed, natural photos using games, prompts and candid photos to tell the story of your family rather than asking for rigid poses. Today I wanted to talk a bit about how I capture kids.

The importance of having fun on your photoshoot!

For kids photoshoots sound boring, before they arrive they're imagining they are going to say cheese, stand in a row and be forced to stay still. As soon as you arrive I start all sessions by letting kids run while we walk to our location, chat and get to know each other. I'll ask kids questions and start by playing games. Getting your kids involved with things like, asking them to direct you, tickles, swings, throwing up and down- different kids need different games and I've been doing this long enough now to know what works!

For Helen and her boys, races, climbing and exploring was on the cards and I was happy to move around them to get the natural shots.

The bonus of getting these candid images is that

next year they remember the fun and games and they actually want to come and play!
when they're used to me they come back and take a posed photo every now and then!

I find that doing family shoots this way actually gives kids more steam as well. 10 minutes of posing and they'd be miserable but an hour of play with a minute of posing every 5 minutes means we get big beaming smiles throughout! Win Win.

I know it feels counterproductive, but relaxing and not putting too much pressure on your kids is also going to make the photos of you much nicer too.

A woman and three children on a fallen log in a forest. The girl shrugs, the boy stands with hands in pockets, and the woman holds a baby.

How To Prepare For Family Photos

Ok so first you're going to tell the kids that you're going for a fun walk and that a lady is going to join you to take some photos. Tell them you're hoping they really have fun and enjoy themselves and that you'd like to have some fun with them too!

Ask them questions like:

If we decide to have some nice photos on our walls of us as a family, what would you like to see?
What games do you want to play today, shall we take a ball?
Do you think our family photos should be happy or silly?
What's your favourite snack, shall we pack some for the journey home?

These questions are going to set your kids up with some positive thoughts about the experience and this leads to a great start! You could also ask them to think of a fun story to tell the photographer when they meet so they have something prepared to talk about.

Woman holding a baby smiles by a tree. Boy sits on branch, and girl stands nearby. Sunlit forest setting, relaxed mood.

Would you like relaxed natural photos of you and your family? Get in touch to chat about how I can help!

Comments

hi! I'm cat and i am a full time wedding photographer

(and a little bit of a photography geek!)

I started taking photos as a teenager, my Dad was a wedding photographer and I would often help him. In 2021 I left my corporate job with a dream and hope that I could make photography a full time job. Since then I have been pouring my heart and soul into this business and have been honoured to be chosen as wedding photographer for so many lovely couples as well as being a portrait and event photographer.

I TAKE CLASSIC, TIMELESS, DOCUMENTARY STYLE PHOTOGRAPHS WITH MINIMAL INTRUSION

But I will step in and offer gentle guidance when it's right to do so, I have learned over the years to read the room, anticipate the next move, hold space when needed and offer support when I can.

aRE YOU LOOKING FOR A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?

When choosing a wedding photographer, consider their style, experience, portfolio, and reviews from previous clients. It's also important to discuss pricing, availability, and any specific requests you may have.

Don't forget to meet with them in person to ensure you have good chemistry and feel comfortable with their approach.

Once you have narrowed down your list of potential wedding photographers, it's a good idea to ask them some key questions to help you make your final decision.

Here are a few questions to consider:

What is your photography style? Do you prefer a more traditional approach or a more candid, documentary style?
Do you have experience with weddings of a similar size and style to mine?
Can I see a full gallery of a recent wedding you photographed? This will give you a better sense of their consistency and quality of work.
Do you have backup equipment in case something goes wrong on the day of the wedding?
How do you handle difficult lighting situations (e.g. low light, harsh sunlight, indoor vs. outdoor)? This will help you gauge their technical expertise.
What is included in your packages? Are there any additional fees I should be aware of (e.g. travel, overtime)?
How long will it take to receive my photos after the wedding? Will they be edited and retouched?
Can you accommodate any special requests I have (e.g. specific shots, family portraits)?
How do you ensure that you capture all of the important moments on the day of the wedding?

By asking these questions and having an open and honest conversation with your wedding photographer, you can ensure that you find the right fit for your big day.